Despite backlash, NFL teams continue to take knee during national anthem

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Controversy continues to swirl in the National Football League as teams continue to defy Pres. Donald Trump by taking a knee during the playing of our national anthem before games.

The entire Dallas Cowboys organization, including owner Jerry Jones, dropped to their knees before the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and then stood during the actual song Monday night.

RELATED: NFL commissioner, players' union angrily denounce Trump

After the game, Jones explained the move and said the team wanted to make a statement about equality and said the NFL was warned about the plan.

The Dallas Cowboys is just the latest example of a wave of protests that have taken different forms for different teams.

The number of players participating has skyrocketed since Trump’s Friday night comments and subsequent tweets calling for protesting players to be removed from the field and fired.

Seventeen players from the New England Patriots took a knee during the national anthem at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

On Monday, coach Bill Belichick released a statement saying he respects his players and their diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints.

At a charity event Monday night, Patriots running back James White countered the president’s claim that kneeling players disrespect the United States and the military.

“We definitely have the utmost respect for people in the military,” he said. “They’re the bravest people in the world. We’re nothing compared to what they do. They’re the bravest people in the world. It’s definitely no disrespect to them at all. Like I said, I know some people may view it as that.

But that’s not what we’re trying to do at all. We’re just trying to raise awareness about police brutality and racial inequality.”

Devin McCourty also spoke Monday night about taking a knee during the anthem to protest racial inequality, saying there will always be people who disagree with you, but you have to do what you feel is right in your heart.

As for what happens during this coming Sunday’s game, those Patriots players said they will discuss their plans as a team.

MORE: 

>> Pats owner Robert Kraft responds to President Trump's comments on NFL

>> Brady on the radio: 'I certainly disagree with what [Trump] said'

Cox Media Group